Newspapers / Winston-Salem State University Student … / Feb. 1, 1997, edition 1 / Page 5
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The News Argus February 1997 - Page 5 — CAMPUS HAPPENINGS — Registration, Drop - Add Still Present Problems BY AMY PHIPPS Edilor-in-Chief New and returning WSSU students again faced long lines and confusion last month during the registration and drop- add processes, and when picking up refund checks and bookstore vouchers at the Thompson Student Services Center. Although students hoped that the registration procedure would be much easier this semester due to the newly opened facility which has a simpler physical arrangement of services, WSSU Registrar William Cain explains that there are several valid reasons for January’s difficulties. The biggest reason for the long lines is that only about 50 percent of students register early and pay their early registration fees on time. That means that the other 50 jjercent (approximately 1300 students) all have to be served in an intense two-day period when most students return to school. In addition, some of those students who do successfully register early join the line to drop or add classes. Clearly, there is little that the Registrar’s Office can do to make students take advantage of early registration, other than letting us know that the more participants, the better off everyone is when the semester’s registration period comes around. Another problem with registration is computer break-downs. The computers always seem to break-down when your schedule is being entered, right? Actually the computer isn’t down that much, but the high demand placed on the new mainframe’s memory during registration slows down the processing. So why doesn’t the administration upgrade the computer’s capability? “Because memory costs,” said Cain. Cain describes WSSU’s situation as a trade-off between better advisement and quicker, convenient service during the relatively short, yet intense registration period. “Registration is part of an overall process including advisement, registration and ultimately graduation,” explained Cain. “More users have been added to the system so that faculty and staff have better access to student records. That makes better advisement possible.” However, many students complain that the registration process is confusing. First you’re sent to one office which can’t help you; then sent to the next one that can help you but first you have to get papers signed...sound familiar? Cain emphasized that if students read the information sent out by the Registrar’s, Admissions, Advisement and other offices, they would have much less trouble. In December 1996, students should have received information concerning the registration process in the mail, complete with a flow chart telling students where to go and in what order. “Students just don’t read the information,” Cain said. “What we’re trying to do, more so now than ever before, is to saturate everyone involved in registration with more information on the process, including students, faculty and departments.” Cain is planning to make regisU'ation easier in the future. First, he hopes that eventually “70 to 75 percent of students will take advantage of early registration and payment.” Second, “We have ordered directional ropes to separate the one long line into separate, more efficient lines. ” The registrar also believes that soon WSSU will move from SIS (Student Information System) to an upgraded software program - SIS Plus. SIS Plus will be capable of registration by Website in addition to phone registration. “Although we will eventually evolve William Cain, Registrar into telephone registration, the cost of wiring, cable and other equipment is currently prohibitive,” explained Cain. Cain emphasized that the Registrar’s Office is constantly evaluating and adjusting procedures to better accommodate students. When the computer went down last month staff members stayed late into the evening to make sure that everyone who stood in line was served before they left campus. Although human errors can occur, the Registrar’s Office seems to be doing its best to solve the problems plaguing the regisU'ation process. Community Involvement Top Priority For Kappas BY DAVID FULTON Staff Writer The Delta Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., has been very active in the community this year by hosting numerous projects such as Voter’s Registration, tutorial sessions for youth, trash clean-up and Worker’s Appreciation Day. In January the chapter sponsored a Voter’s Registration Drive in the Cleon F. Thompson Student Services Center. As part of the Kappa Alpha Psi Mentoring, Leadership and Academic Achievement program for youth, fraternity members provided tutorial sessions to children at the Salvation Army Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, Diggs Elementary and Carver High Schools. The in-school tutoring program, offered through the Guide Right Program, is available during morning and after- school hours. The Kappas also held a Trash Clean-Up sweep from Winston-Salem State University to McDonald’s restaurant on M.L.King Jr. Drive. Worker’s Appreciation Day involved the Kappas assisting in the serving of food during lunch at WSSU’s Kennedy Dining Hall. The purpose of this event was to show their gratitude and thanks to the cafeteria employees for their hard work and dedication while serving the students and faculty. The members of Delta Chi Chapter are moving to greater heights with their positive work in and around the Winston-Salem community. The members have several more upcoming events planned for the rest of the semester. Congro-tuCations 3Cappas! Keep Up the goocC worh,\ DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS MIAMI, FLORIDA interviewing QUALIFIED TEACHER APPLICANTS With special emphasis in the following areas; MATH, SCIENCE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION MEDIA SPECIALISTS INDUSTRIAL ARTS/TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION SPEECH/LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST MUSIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST PHYSICAL THEFIAPIST Starting Salary ranges from $28,150.00 to $40,400.00 EXCELLENT FRINGE BENEFITS Contact Ms. Arlene Weu'dell, Director Dade County Public Schools Office of Personnel Staffing 1500 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 129 Miami, FL 33132 (305)995-7078 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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Feb. 1, 1997, edition 1
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